Part B News | Part B News

Telehealth extended, but no physician pay fix in 2025; next chance in April

01/13/2025

In the continuing resolution (CR) finally enacted by Congress and signed by President Biden on Dec. 20, the COVID-era telehealth flexibilities were extended through March 2025 -- not for two years as originally proposed -- and the physician pay cut was left unaddressed.

CMS adds more than 100 codes to the list of designated health services

01/13/2025

by: Julia Kyles, CPC

Start the year right: Incorporate the latest list of designated health services (DHS) into your practice’s compliance plan.

Share list of 86 audio-only services covered telehealth extension

01/13/2025

by: Julia Kyles, CPC

Give staff a list of the audio-only telehealth services that are covered by the three-month waiver extension as you push into the new year.

Denials management, collections will be key points of focus in 2025: Survey

01/13/2025

by: Richard Scott

As medical groups anticipated the major challenges they would be facing in 2025, payment cuts, prior authorization demands and grappling with denials were expected to be high on the list. Dozens of medical group professionals shared their projections and anticipated high-impact areas in the Part B News 2025 Predictions Survey.

Refresh reporting CPT fracture and dislocation care in the ED

01/13/2025

by: Hamilton Lempert, MD, FACEP, CEDC (

The decision for an emergency clinician to report fracture and and/or dislocation care CPT codes in addition to an E/M code or not can have significant ramifications.

5 tips to protect patient data amid the rise of digital health platforms

01/13/2025

by: Rebecca Herold, CDPSE, FIP, CISSP, CIPM, CIPP/US, CIPT, CISM, CISA, FLMI

Question: What are the most significant challenges HIPAA compliance officers face in ensuring the privacy of protected health information (PHI) across new digital health platforms, and how can organizations proactively mitigate these risks?

Modifiers 24, 25 not denied much — but watch for danger zones

01/13/2025

by: Roy Edroso

Utilization of the operation-related modifiers 24 (Unrelated evaluation and management service by the same physician during a postoperative period) and 57 (Decision for surgery) was slightly down in 2023, but denial rates were excellent — with a few notable exceptions.

Secure E/M documentation to optimize revenue, decrease audit risk

01/06/2025

by: Nancy Enos, FACMPE, CPC-I, CPMA, CEMC, CPC

The AMA’s revisions to the E/M guidelines in 2021 and 2023 have simplified documentation, eliminated unnecessary documentation that was not clinically relevant, and brought clinicians a simpler process for choosing levels of E/M services based on either medical decision-making (MDM) using a level of MDM grid or time. In 2024, the AMA also updated the time rule to require “minimal time.”

Bolster risk analysis, monitor systems to combat ransomware threats

01/06/2025

by: Dom Nicastro

On September 26, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a $250,000 settlement with Cascade Eye and Skin Centers, P.C., following a ransomware attack that exposed approximately 291,000 files containing electronic protected health information (ePHI).

Consider the pros and cons of furnishing an AWV during same-day E/M

01/06/2025

by: Son Hoang

Question: What are the pros and cons of performing an annual wellness visit (AWV) at the same time as an E/M office visit versus separating them into two visits?

Login

User Name:
Password:
Remember me Forgot password
Welcome to the new Part B News Online. If you are a returning user having trouble logging in, please click here.